ot only did head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, the legendary German striker and team manager, lead the U.S. out of group play and into the Round of 16, a pleasant surprise itself, but three of the five goals scored by the United States in its four matches were netted by players who were raised within the German national team system.

Manning has a career postseason record of 11-12 now, and even the crowning moment of his Super Bowl win came in a one-touchdown, one-interception performance that earned just an 81.8 quarterback rating. He has had a great career. He’s a great quarterback. That said, it is still true that he is one lackluster win in 2007, not one humiliating loss on Sunday, from having his entire legacy written in a different way.